Sales Slump, Except For Flags—

Shopping In Newtown Slowed During Tragedy

By Tanjua Damon

Most retail stores were empty last week as local residents stayed close to their televisions to see what was happening in New York City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, but it was business as usual at supermarkets where shoppers went to buy in order to help support rescuers.

American flags were big sellers for many stores. Lexington Gardens sold out within two days to shoppers who wanted to show their patriotism and unity.

 “It was not business as usual. Certainly Tuesday the store was quiet in terms of shoppers. The week was not where it should have been,” said Tom Johnson, the owner of the Church Hill Road business. “Within two days we sold out of American flags. The people who bought them were upset and had stories to tell.”

Mr Johnson pointed out that although sales may have been down, customers were coming to the store as a way to get away from what they were seeing and hearing on televisions and radios.

“We definitely had customers coming in. They may not have been making purchases,” he said. “We represented an escape from reality here. Customers had a tremendous outpour of sympathy that they didn’t know how to deal with it.”

Radio Shack in Sand Hill Plaza could not keep up with the demand of rabbit ear antennas for shoppers who were at work and wanted to be up-to-date with the events of Tuesday’s tragedy. It also gave shoppers an opportunity to share their feelings.

 “We were very busy. Ten minutes after we opened we sold out of rabbit ears. Most people were at work and I guess couldn’t get a good reception. One man bought an antenna for his roof,” said Sue Goldberg, owner of Radio Shack. “We were almost wiped out of portable radios. I think a lot of those were for work. For people who worked in steel buildings and wanted to hear what was happening. I think people wanted to talk and watch the television we had set up, especially other members of the plaza. People would take anything to get reception.”

Many other retail stores in Sand Hill Plaza closed early because customers stayed away from shopping. Some business picked back up over the weekend.

“For the most part it was a very slow week. Saturday and Sunday were two good days,” said Natasha Jacobs, the manager of TJ Maxx. “Everything else laid pretty flat for the rest of the week.”

Olympia Sports was open for regular hours throughout the week, even though shoppers were scarce.

 “It was very dead, as it should have been. Every store in the plaza closed at 5 or 6, but we stayed open until 9 pm,” said assistant manager Myke Ames of Olympia Sports. “We ran regular hours. There were very few people in the store.”

The same was true for Payless Shoe Source, according to manager Uday Kumar. The store closed early Tuesday, but business was just starting to increase at the beginning of this week.

“It was very slow. Not that much, but it’s picking up slightly. It was dead the day after,” Mr Kumar said. “We closed early on the day of the tragedy to show our sympathy.”

The two supermarkets in the area did not see a slow down in business. Shopping for the needs of the rescuers seemed to be one way the community felt it could help support the efforts in New York City.

 “Shopping was about the way it’s always been,” Super Stop & Shop manager Ron Monforte said. “It was about normal.”

Big Y manager MaryAnn Granata explained that the store was full of shoppers who were buying water, cereal bars and granola bars to send to rescuers. People just wanted to help, she said.

“We were busy. The warehouse immediately sent us extra water and everything else. The company as a whole has been very active. We are collecting. We had food drives in Naugatuck. Our office responded very quickly,” Ms Granata said.

“It’s been very positive. It’s been wonderful. I’ve never seen people come in with shopping carts full of stuff to send,” she continued.

“Unfortunately the mood is gloomy. It’s very solemn. The community is responding wonderfully.”